How to Meet Scholarship Program Requirements While in School

While you are in school, you must meet National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (NHSC SP) requirements. These prepare you for work at an NHSC site.

Understand Program Requirements

• Save a copy of your NHSC SP Application and Program Guidance (PDF - 554 KB).
• Review Eligible Site Types to determine where you might serve after you graduate.

Maintain Enrollment

• Maintain full-time enrollment in the health professions training program for which we awarded you a scholarship until you complete that program.
• Complete your In-School Verification form and submit it by the required deadline.
• Watch these helpful videos and follow the instructions to submit your form accurately and completely. 

We will not credit you for courses which aren't required for your health professions degree.

Maintain Good Academic Standing

Remain as a full-time student in good academic standing, while enrolled in the scholarship-supported health professions training program.

Notify Us of Changes in Personal or Financial Information

Maintain a current mailing address, e-mail address, name, and financial institution information in your Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) Customer Service Portal account to ensure an uninterrupted flow of scholarship payments.

Notify Us of Any Changes in Enrollment Status

Use the BHW Customer Service Portal to notify us as soon as you anticipate one of the following events, or one has already occurred:

• Repeat in any course work;
• Change in graduation date;
• Leave of absence approved by your school;
• Withdrawal or dismissal from school;
• Change from full-time student status to a less than full-time student status;
• Voluntary withdrawal from any courses during a school year; or
• Transfer to another school or program.

We need to know in advance when you anticipate a change in enrollment status.

This way, we can take timely action to determine if you are still eligible to receive scholarship support and to avoid overpayments.

You must also submit a letter from your school verifying that one of the events listed above has occurred.

Review Postgraduate Training Requirements

We require some disciplines to complete an NHSC-approved postgraduate training program.

We may allow you to defer your service while you complete postgraduate training (including residency, chief residency, or fellowship).

We do this if we determine that your training is consistent with our needs of delivering primary health care services in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

Explore Rotations or Volunteer Opportunities

Work at sites of interest to get first-hand experience and determine if those locations would be a good fit for you. Use our support network to find opportunities:

• State Primary Care Offices (State PCOs)
  
  State PCOs can help you:
  • Understand the health care needs and the barriers to primary healthcare in your state.
  • Connect to other primary healthcare providers and sites in your state for networking and sharing best practices.
• Area Health Education Centers (AHECs)
  
  AHECs can help you:
  • Link to community and academic educational partnerships.
  • Connect to educational opportunities, continuing education, and rotations for residents.
• State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs)
  
  SORHs can help you:
  • Access tools and resources in rural areas.
  • Network with other rural providers.

Network with NHSC Scholars or Clinicians

Connect with other scholars or current clinicians at NHSC-approved sites via Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Transition to NHSC Service

Once you complete your health professions education, and if applicable your postgraduate training, you must obtain license and/or certification, find an NHSC site, and apply for open positions.